If you have been programming in JavaScript, you have heard about all the frameworks available. The most popular frameworks are:

Prototype

JQuery

MooTools

Scriptaculous

I’ve been pondering whether I was going to cover frameworks on my site because while I have used them, I prefer to write and reuse my own code. So, in this article I’m going to go through the pro’s and con’s of using frameworks.

What is a JavaScript Framework?

A Framework is just a library of pre-written JavaScript code, which can help you write JavaScript code quicker. A Framework is built to help make some of the following processes easier:

Data Retrieval

Drag & Drop Capability

Visual Effects

Animation

Event Handling

Validation

DOM Manipulation

Browser Compatibility

Which JavaScript Framework is Best?

This question oddly enough will get people hot headed real quick. In my personal opinion, I prefer JQuery, but I have found other frameworks to be very useful as well. If I write a tutorial on Frameworks, I can guarantee it will be on using JQuery though. Mainly because I know it best.

What are the Negatives of Frameworks?

I think the worst thing about Frameworks is that they are very complicated. In trying to be everything to everyone, they normally resemble this mass of code that is very confusing. I personally like to know how my code works and with Frameworks I find that very hard to accomplish.

Also, using frameworks will slow down your websites, because of their shear mass. I’m talking about additional seconds here not minutes, but still every second counts.

Frameworks also require you to learn a completely new way to code. Now if you have been writing JavaScript for two weeks, that won’t be a problem. But, if you’ve been going at it for a while, you may find that Frameworks aren’t worth it?

Because they change often, Frameworks will require you to keep up with their new ways of doing things.

What are the Positives of Frameworks?

Frameworks do one thing very well. They create great visual effects! When you want to create a fancy new site that will really dazzle people, you should definitely look into Frameworks.

Also, if you hate worrying about the browser wars, and want your site to work the same on every browser, you should also look into frameworks.

So, it comes down to presentation. If you are a good CSS / JavaScript programmer, you probably won’t need a framework. If you want to dazzle people with a month of coding experience under your belt, learn a Framework.

If you have any question’s leave them below and if you want me to cover JavaScript Frameworks, which one?